The most pivotal years of my life were those living through the Liberian Civil War. I saw the brutality of war, experienced the uncertainty of not knowing when your next meal would be or where it was going to come from, and the despair of losing family and friends. But I also learned the importance of kindness, generosity, sacrifice, resilience, adaptability, and positive thinking.
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I put a high priority on building strong, long-lasting relationships. Establishing mutual trust and respect, taking the time to understand what a person values and what motivates them, being reliable, and making time for shared experiences are some of the keys to ensuring strong personal and professional relationships.
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I’m not a technophile. I’m also not a luddite. I believe in progress but I try to be pragmatic about how we achieve it. Blockchain and AI have application in some cases, but they won’t necessarily solve some of the intractable problems we see in the markets where we invest. Let’s find solutions that apply technology in a thoughtful manner when it can be useful rather than blindly thinking all technological innovations will automatically make the world a better place.
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Human history has been characterized by a series of cycles. These occur over time and across different regions. I believe that understanding these trends can help lead to more informed decisions.
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Progress is incremental. I took issue with Peter Thiel’s Zero to One theory since I first read his book. Many important innovations throughout history are the result of incremental improvements. Focus on making things better.
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Helping others is one of the greatest joys. From the time I meet someone, I like to find ways to be helpful. Whether it’s a little gesture or something more significant, it’s incredibly rewarding to see that you’ve made an impact and contributed towards someone else’s success. This approach guides my interactions with entrepreneurs and our approach to supporting our portfolio companies.
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One of my favorite parts of what we do is learning new things. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn. Even if we don’t invest in a company, I gain unique insights or am exposed to new perspectives on a subject I may not have known much about.
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The words “it can’t be done” or “no one’s ever done it before” are like fingernails on a chalkboard. Having a vision, thinking creatively, being resourceful, and working hard can help you achieve almost anything.
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Put us to work. We’re utility players. Once we invest in a company, our primary objective is to ensure that the business succeeds. Leverage us and our networks however you see fit.
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Entrepreneurs who are solving real problems deserve a chance. While we can’t fund every business we meet, we do our best to be helpful to those who are in the trenches building companies that are addressing some of the most pressing problems we see in the markets where we invest. Their success benefits everyone.
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Perspectives:
